Smoke-screen-producing means



J. H. HAMMOND, JR

SMOKE SCREEN PRODUCING MEANS Original Filed June 2 1920 2 Shaets-Sheet 1 MN %.N r

QM E .0

MN MN mm a m5 Arm/um NM QM @W \NRN m E U i N Mm 5, m4.

J. H. HAMMOND, JR

SMOKE SCREEN PRODUCING MEANS tS -She Original Filed June 2 1920 lNI/E/VTOH Hi5 ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 25, 1924.

QJNETED STATEE JOHN HAYS HAMMOND, an, or eroocnsrnn, MASSACHUSETTS.

sMo n-scnnnn-rnonncme vrnr ns.

Application filed June 2 1820, Serial No. 385,894. Itcnewed July 12, 1322. Serial No. 574,543.

To all 1071044? 2'25 a l/(1y concern Be it known that 1, JOHN Hays HAM- MOND, Jr., a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Gloucester, county of Essex. State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Smoke- Screen-Producing Means of which the following is a specification.

Some of the objects of the present invention are to provide means for concealing the location and position of a wireless controlled marine body; to provide means for producing a smoke screen to conceal a wireless controlled marine body; to provide means for producing and locating a smoke screen in the course of a torpedo; to provide means for successively producing smoke at a plurality of points in the path of a moving body; to provide means for producing, at predetermined intervals, a succession of smoke producing means whereby a smoke screen is formed in the path of a moving torpedo; and to provide other improvements as will hereinafter appear.

In the accompanying drawings, Fig. '1

represents a diagrammatic side elevation of a marine body embodying one form of the present invention; Fig. 2 represents a detail, partly in section, of a part of the control mechanism; Fig. 3 represents a vertical longitudinal section of the head of a smoke producing torpedo; Fig. 4 represents a section on line 4-4 of Fig. 3; Fig. 5 represents a detail of construction; and Fig. 6 represents a sectional detail of a modified form of a part of the mechanism shown in Figs. 3 and 4.

Referring to the drawings, one embodiment of the present invention is shown in Fig. 1 comprising a torpedo or other marine body 10, which is controlled by wireless through the medium of an antenna 11 receiving apparatus 12, rudder control mechanism 13, propelling engine it and intake pipe 15. These parts may be of any well known form for control purposes from a distance.

For the purpose of throwing a smoke screen about the torpedo 10, a smoke producing movable body or pilot torpedo is provided and located when not in use within a torpedo tube 21 preferably provided in the superstructure of the torpedo 10. This tube 21 is normally open in front to direct the pilot torpedo 20 upon its course and has its inner closed end connected by a pipe 22 through a control valve 23 and a pipe 24 to a source of compressed air, such as a cylinder 24 containing air under pressure.

For operating the valve 23, its movable element 25 is arranged as a type of piston slide valve, which normally cuts off pressure from the pipe 22, being held by a'trip finger 26 which engages a lug 27 fast on the stem of the element 25. A coil spring abuts the lug 27 at one end and at the other end a fixed pa1 t 31, the construction being such that when the trip finger 26 engages the lug 27 the spring 30 is under compres sion. lVhen the finger 26 is released from the lug 27 the spring 30 shifts the movable element 25 to establish communication between the supply pipe 2st and the pipe 22. As here shown the trip finger 26 forms the armature of a relay magnet 32 in a circuit controlled by the wireless receiving apparatus 12. A spring 33 returns the trip finger 26 to locking position when the relay 32'is deenergized. When the relay 32 is energized the trip finger 2 6 releases the valve member 25 so that air under pressure is admitted to the tube 21 to eject the pilot torpedo 20 in a well known manner. As the pilot torpedo 20 leaves the tube 21 the propelling engine is automatically started by the engagement of a trip 27 with a lug 28 which is fixed to the tube '21 in the path of movement of the trip 27, and the pilot torpedo 21 is driven at a high speed ahead of the controlled torpedo 10.

For the purpose of producing a dense smoke for screen purposes the pilot torpedo 20 is provided with a 'shell 30 having an opening 31 in its top which is covered with a suitable waterproof membrane 32 to prevent water from entering the shell' 30. Transve-rsely disposed within the shell 30 is a magazine body 33 mounted on a shaft 3% and held in suitable bearings 35 for rotary movement with respect to the shell 30, this body 33 having a plurality of cbmpartments 36 opening respectively against the inner wall of the shell 30 and arranged to be brought successively into alinement with the opening 31.

A plurality of gaskets 37 is interposed between the shell 30 and the magazine body 33 to prevent leakage to the interior of the shell 30 or from one compartment to another. Each compartment 36 isarranged to receive and hold a container 40 having a lid 41 and filled with any suitable smoke producing material, such as potassium or any other suitable substance, which produces smoke when it comes in contact with water. As all of the containers and their associated parts are alike the description will be iimit ed to but one of these units.

In order to eject a container 40 from the magazine 33, a coiled spring 42 is arranged at the rear end of the compartment 36 in a manner to be compressed when the container 40 is in its normal position within the compartment 36. In this position it is locked by a pivoted detent 43 which is held by a spring 44 in engagement with a lug 45, or equivalent means, so as to hold the container 40 against the action of the spring 42.

To release the detent so that the container 40 is ejected by the spring action, there is a cam 46 fixed to a wall 47 in the path of an extension 48 integral with the detent 43, the arrangement being such that when the magazine 33 is turned the extension 48 strikes the cam 46 and Withdraws the detent 43 from locking engagement with the lug 45 at the instant the container 40 is alined with the opening 31.

As a means for cutting the waterproof membrane 32, the outwardly disposed end of the container 40 is provided with a flange 50 in the form of a circular knife edge, which operates as the container 40 is ejected from its compartment.

For the purpose of rotating the magazine 33 a large gear 50 is secured to the magazine 38, being keyed to the shaft 34, and in mesh with a pinion 51 which is driven by a series of bevel gears 52 from the main shaft of a clock mechanism comprising a driving spring 54, chain of gears 55 and an escapement 56, the last being arranged to be regulated by a spindle 57 which can be turned from the outside of the clock casing to adjust the speed of the shaft The spring 54 may be wound in the usual manner by a projecting winding stem 58.

Normally the escapement- 56 is held inoperative by means of a pivoted arm 60 which is held in its locking position by a spring (31, the said spring 61 being so fixed at its ends with respect to the pivotal point of the arm 60 that a movement of the arm 60 to unlocking position will shift the spring 60 across the fulcrum and cause it to hold the arm 60 retracted.

In order to automatically start the clock mechanism when the pilot torpedo 20 is ejected, the arm 60 has a finger 62 projecting through the shell 30 into alinement with the lug 28 so that the latter strikes the finger 62 when the torpedo 30 leaves the tube 21.

In the operation of this form of the invention it is first determined how often it is desired to eject a smoke producing container 40 and the escapeinent 56 is then adjusted accordingly by means of the spindle 57, so that the magazine will rotate at the desired speed. The clock mechanism is then wound by means of the stem 58 and the pilot torpedo 20 is then placed in the tube 21. The wireless controlled torpedo ll) is then sent out and when it is desired to produce a smoke screen ahead of it, so that the torpedo 10 can operate under cover of the smoke screen, a suitable impulse is sent and received by the antenna 11 and receiving apparatus 12 whereupon the relay magnet 32 is energized to cause pressure fluid to eject the pilot torpedo 20, which runs at high speed ahead of the wireless torpedo 10. As the torpedo 20 leaves the tube 21, the ing 28 first trips the finger 62 so that the escapement 56 is released, and then shifts the trip 27 to start the propelling engine of the torpedo 20. The magazine is now rotating at the predetermined rate and when the first compartment 36 comes opposite the opening 251 the cam 46 retracts the detent 43 and the container 40 is ejected by the force of the spring 42 and cuts through the membrane 52 covering the opening 81. Then the container 40 is outside the shell 30 the lid 41 falls off and thus allows the contents to escape into the water, where they rise to the surface and commence producing a dense smoke at that point. The magazine 33 continues to rotate and the detents 43 of the respective containers 40 are successively released by ongagement with the cam 40 whereby a number ofsmoke producing points are created in the path of the wireless torpedo 10 which obscures it and enables it to approach an enemy without being located.

111 the form of the invention shown in Fig. 6 the several containers are each provided with smoke producing means which must be ignited before the smoke will be produced and to this end a container is provided having a percussion cap 71 connected by a time fuse 72 to an ignition mixture 73 above which is an explosive charge 74. Suitable weights 74 are fixed to the bottom of the container 70 to maintain it in an upright position after being ejected from the magazine 33.

For firing the percussion cap 71 and ejecting the container 70, a plunger 75 is provided which is arranged to be actuated by a coil spring 76, the said plunger 75 having a firing pin 77 located to strike the cap 71 when the plunger 7 5 is released. In this in stance the detent 43 is arranged to lock the plunger 75 with the spring 76 compressed and is held in position by the spring 78 and the release of the detent 43 takes place as heretofore described.

In this form of the invention the cam 46 successively releases the detents 43 in the manner described, and as each is Withdrawn from its plunger the firing pin T7 fires the percussion cap 71 and ejects the container into the surrounding Water. The respective containers 70 and contents are made lighter than the Water so that they rise to the surface, and the time fuse 72 is so designed that after the container 70 reaches the surface, and is in an upright position due to the weights 74:, the fuse ignites the ignition mixture 73 and '50 e2;- plodes the small charge 74 Which blows the top ofi' the container 70. The smoke producing mixture therein commences to burn and produces a dense smoke.

In the foregoing description it will be understood that the term torpedo has been used only by way of example and that broadly considered any form of marine vessel may be employed with the present invention; also the term pilot torpedo is not to be restricted or narrowed, as obvious-' ly the broad invention comprehends any kind of a movable body which may be arranged to be projected from a vessel, and produce a smoke screen along the course of the vessel is Within the scope of the invention.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a smoke screen apparatus, the combination of a. marine vessel, a self-propelled body arranged to be released from said vessel, and means on said body for ejecting a quantity of smoke producing material for causing a smoke screen to be produced in the course of said vessel.

2. In a smoke screen apparatus, the combination of a torpedo, a self-propelled body arranged to be released from said torpedo, and means on said body for ejecting a quantity of smoke producing material for causing a smoke screen to be produced in front of said torpedo.

8. In a smoke screen apparatus, the combination of a torpedo, a body carried by said torpedo, means for projecting said body from said torpedo, means for propelling said body independently of said torpedo and means on said body for ejecting a quantity of smoke producing material for causing a smoke screen to be produced along the course of said torpedo.

l. In a. smoke screen apparatus, the combination of a marine vessel, a body carried by said vessel, means for projecting said body from said vessel, means for propelling said body independently of said vessel and means on said body for ejecting a quantity of smoke producing material for causing a smoke screen to be produced along the course of said vessel.

In a smoke screen apparatus, the combination of a marine vessel, a body arranged to be discharged from said vessel, a smoke producing means carried by said body, and means arranged to operate a predetermined time after the discharge of said body for causing said smoke producing means to function, whereby a smoke screen is pro duced along the course of said vessel.

6. In a smoke screen apparatus, the combination of a marine vessel, a body arranged to be discharged from said vessel, a smoke producing means carried by said body, and means operating periodically to cause said smoke producing means to function Whereby a smoke screen is produced along the course of said vessel.

7. In a smoke screen apparatus. the combination of a marine vessel, a body arranged to be discharged from said vessel, a smoke producing means carried by said body, means operating periodically to cause said smoke producing means to function, and means to vary the period of operation of said operating means.

8. In a smoke screen apparatus, the combination of a Wireless controlled vessel, a body carried by said vessel, means operable by Wireless for discharging said body, a propelling means on said body, and means on said body for causing smoke to be pro-- duced along the course of said vessel.

9. In a smoke screen apparatus, the combination of a wireless controlled vessel, a body carried by said vessel, means to project said body from said vessel, means for propelling said body independently of said vessel, a periodically actuated smoke producing means on said body, and means for causing said smoke producing means to function after said body has been dis charged.

10. In a smoke screen apparatus, the combination of a Wireless controlled vessel, a body carried by said vessel, means to project said body from said vessel, a magazine on said body, a plurality of smoke producing devices in said magazine, and means arranged to operate after the discharge of said body for releasing said devices from said magazine to cause a smoke screen to be produced along the course of said body.

11. In a smoke screen apparatus, the combination of a Wireless controlled vessel, a body carried by said vessel, means to project said body from said vessel, a magazine on said body, a plurality of smoke producing devices in said magazine, and means ar-- ranged to operate after the discharge of said body for successively releasing said devices from said magazine to cause a smoke screen to be produced along the course of said body.

12. In a smoke screen apparatus, the combination of a Wireless controlled vessel, a body carried by said vessel, means to project said body from said vessel, a magazine on said body, a plurality of smoke producing devices in said magazine, means arranged to perate after the discharge of said body for successively releasing said devices from said magazine to cause a smoke screen to be produced along the course of said body, and means for adjusting the periodicity of said releasing means in a predetermined manner.

13. in a smoke screen apparatus, the combination of a movable body, a second movable body arranged to be directed in advance of the first named body and having means for propelling itself independently or said first named body, means positioned on the second named body for periodically discharging concealment means on the course of the first named body, and means for varying: the periodicity of discharge of said coneeaiment means.

let. In a smoke screen apparatus, the combination of: a torpedo, a self-propelled body ararnged to be released from said torpedo in advance thereof, and means on said body for periodically causing" a smoke screen to be produced in front of said torpedo.

15. In a smoke screen apparatus the combin-ati on of a marine vessel. a body arranged to be discharged from said vessel, a smok producing means carried by said body, a motor mechanism and an escapement there-tor to cause said smoke producing means to function, and means to vary the period of operation of said operating means.

16. 111 a smoke screen apparatus, the combination of two movable bodies, one arranged to move in advance of the other, smoke producing means on the advanced body for concealing the trailing body co1nprising a rotatable container, a plurality of cartridges containing smoke producing material, and automatic means for discharging said cartridges in successive order.

17. In smoke screen apg'iaratus, the combination of a marine vessel a self-propelled body arranged to be released from said vessel, and means on said body independent of the propelling means thereof for causing a smoke screen to be produced in the course of said vessel.

18. In a smoke screen apparatus, the com bination of a torpedo, a self-propelled body arranged to be released from said torpedo, and means on said body independent of the propelling means thereof for causing a smoke screen to be produced in front of said torpedo.

19. In a smoke screen apparatus, the corn bination of a torpedo, a body carried by said torpedo, means for projecting said body from said torpedo, means for propelling said body and means independent of said propelling means on said body for causing a smoke screen to be produced along; the course of said torpedo.

20. In a smoke screen apparatus, the combination of a marine vessel, a body carried by said vessel, means for projecting said body from said vessel, means for propelling said body through the Water, and means on said body for causing a smoke screen to be produced along the course of said vessel.

21. In a smoke screen apparatus, the combination of a marine vessel, 2. self-propelled body arranged to be released from said vessel, and periodically operated means on said body for causinga smoke screen to be produced in the course of said vessel.

JOHN HAYS HAMMOND, J12 

